Will Sing For Votes In The 5th CD

As retired Air Force Major General Bentley Rayburn plans his take-off tonight into a race for congress, incumbent Doug Lamborn is gearing up for a Sunday combo fundraiser/Italian dinner/Karaoke/town meeting/swimming event…

Jeff Crank, meanwhile, has wasted no time announcing that in the seven weeks since announcing he plans to take on the first term congressman from Colorado Springs, he has already raked in $77,000 in campaign contributions.

Let the singing begin.Rayburn, who finished a surprise third in last year’s six-man Republican primary, is kicking off his campaign tonight at the Doubletree Hotel in Colorado Springs at 1775 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd. at 6:30 p.m.

“Bring your friends! Exciting times ahead!” is the promise on Rayburn’s invitation.

Lamborn’s “Italian dinner” is scheduled this Sunday, Oct. 7 at the The Pinery Event Center at 12375 Black Forest Rd. Cost is $25 for individuals, and $50 for the family. The advertised times are 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. , and 3 to 5 p.m.

Meanwhile, earlier this week Crank – who was last year’s second place finisher in the primary – announced he has raised more than $77,000 in seven weeks. Notably, Crank pointed out that the cash came from 115 individual contributors, of which 90.5 percent of whom live in Colorado and 75 percent of the contributors live in the 5 th Congressional District. Only 10 of the contributors live outside Colorado.

The reference could clearly be construed to be a jab at both Lamborn and Rayburn. Both of their campaign chests last year were filled by contributors who largely live outside the district.

Cara DeGette is a senior fellow at Colorado Confidential and a columnist and contributing editor at the Colorado Springs Independent. E-mail her at cdegette@coloradoconfidential.com

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